Positano is one of those long-time playgrounds of the rich and famous, although it's now been infiltrated and normal folks like us can also enjoy it. The town itself climbs up the hill away from the water, meaning that most buildings that aren't right at water level have amazing views - and also that it's quite a hike to get just about anywhere in town. Of course, considering the most physical movement most people do all day during a trip to Positano is walk to and from the beach, a little hike uphill probably isn't such a bad thing.

What to Do

There isn't so much a list of things to "do" in Positano, aside from enjoying the views and the sun. The beach is the main attraction, followed closely by the boutique shopping that you'll find all around the harbor. A longer stay in Positano is also a great idea if you want to make day-trips to nearby Naples, the islands of Capri or Ischia, or Pompeii and Herculaneum. Whatever you do, you'll want to take life slowly here - Positano is meant to be savored, and you can't do that in a rush. Oh, and remember that cities like Positano along Italy's coasts get inundated with inland Italians on holiday in August, so you might want to steer clear of it then.

Getting There

The nearest airport is Naples, but if you can't fly there directly you can catch a flight to Rome's Fiumicino Airport and then get a train to nearby Sorrento. From there you'll need to take a bus to Positano. If you'd like more autonomy, you'll have to rent a car - just be aware that parking can be difficult to find in the city itself. Start the "getting there" process by looking for deals on airfare to Italy.

Where to Stay

There are lots of luxury hotels in Positano, and there are also some more budget properties in the town or nearby as well. One option that's very popular is to book a vacation rental in Positano, which just encourages a longer stay - and that's never a bad thing. You can search through these Positano hostels and Positano hotels and book a room today.

For more information on Positano and the rest of Italy, don't forget to check out our Italy Travel Guide.